Nashvillians come to grips with immigration reform

The morning of Sunday, March 21, was sunny and spotless in Washington, D.C. As Congress rolled up its sleeves for the last round of the ideological brawl over heath care reform, the tea party protesters were out in full force.

By mid-morning, the green lawns ringing Capitol Hill were trampled by the stomping feet of hundreds of anti-reform activists. Brandishing hand-painted signs that spelled out characteristic ill will, the assembled shook their fists and broke into spirited chants while onlookers and nervous Capitol Hill police officers watched from a distance.

But despite the media’s reluctance to take the cameras off the health care naysayers, they were far from the biggest party in town that day. In fact, around noon, another sound began piping in from the east — a staccato, singsong three-word chant, vaguely familiar.

Si, se puede! Si, se puede! Si, se puede!

As the sound grew to a stadium roar, thousands of marchers poured down the sidewalks of Constitutional Avenue and onto the National Mall. Waving American and Mexican flags, banging hand drums and maracas, the streaming masses assembled on the lawn before a simple stage and two large screens for an event that organizers had dubbed “March for America.”

Pulling participants from across the country, the rally was billed as a show of support for comprehensive immigration reform, a not-so-subtle nod toward President Obama’s campaign promise to make the item a key piece of his agenda (the movement’s co-opted rallying cry is Spanish for Obama’s famous slogan, “Yes, we can”). Rather than push a specific bill, event organizers hoped to kick-start a conversation on how to best fix an immigration system that leaves an estimated 16 million undocumented aliens stateside in a legal and cultural limbo.

It is no accident that event organizers planned the D.C. march to happen on the heels of the health care debate. As the rethink of the medical insurance system took center stage during the first year of the Obama administration, immigration activists worried whether the other comprehensive movement for reform would be lost in the mix.

By the time the rally began, more than 200,000 people were gathered — the single largest congregation of people in D.C. since the Obama inauguration and nearly twice the attendance that organizers expected.

Among the crowd was a sizable contingent of Middle Tennesseans. The night before the rally, a 10-bus caravan pulled out of Nashville and barreled through Appalachia and up into the Beltway, arriving at the Capitol a few hours after dawn. By the time the event ended late Sunday afternoon, the same group again boarded the buses for a repeat of the grueling, close-quarters 667-mile overnight ride.

It’s not surprising that Middle Tennessee fielded a team of D.C. marchers. With a growing immigrant population estimated at around 11.1 percent, or 69,260, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, the region’s ballooning number of foreign-born — legal and not — has occasioned a strong pushback from conservative corners. The scope and style of this reaction has varied, but in recent years it’s manifested itself most concretely in a series of local and state legislative proposals aimed at new arrivals.

“These new destination states like Tennessee that are seeing immigration again as a new thing in the last 20 years are experiencing that backlash,” Stephen Fotopulos, the executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, told The City Paper on the first leg of the bus ride to D.C. “This attitude is, ‘Why is the face of my community changing? I’ve got to do something. English-only sounds pretty good.’ ”

As a result, Middle Tennessee’s immigrant population has been defined publicly less on its own terms than by a small opposition’s attempts to stymie it. But that may have begun to change a few weeks ago. In a surprising show of organizational muscle, Middle Tennessee sent more than 400 people to the Capitol. In addition to the Middle Tennessee contingent, TIRRC sent an additional 100 marchers from Memphis and Knoxville to the event. The participants — mostly Hispanic with a smattering of Caucasians, Kurds and African-Americans — represented a cross-section of ages and economic situations, from the first generation English-speaking sons and daughters of immigrants to recent arrivals and the undocumented.

Many came at their own risk, the same set who tend to avoid public demonstrations for fear of the government.

But it’s the decision to finally take a public stand in the political arena that represents a step forward for the region’s immigrant population as a whole, a sign this widening slice of the demographic is no longer content to remain a cloistered part of the local political and social fabric.

The local issue(s)

Jaime Gonzalez is the American-born son of Mexican immigrants. The affable Middle Tennessee State University senior helped organize three busloads of marchers from his hometown of Shelbyville, Tenn., and was a leader on the trip, trying to ease the concerns of everyone from the rowdy high schoolers along for the ride to the silent older couples who nervously kept to themselves throughout the trek.

The main concern was a potential run-in with law or immigration enforcement. The majority of the Hispanic riders were undocumented illegal residents, Gonzalez said, and if one of the buses was pulled over, riders feared an overzealous officer might go sifting through IDs.

“There was a lot of misconceptions about what was going to happen on the trip,” Gonzalez said. “There were some people who thought that immigration was waiting for the buses to pull them over and deport everybody. Also, there was a lot of fear that there would be counter-protesters here who might get violent.”

This blend of fear and suspicion of the government and law enforcement is common among both the undocumented and those with papers. Tensions have risen in recent years thanks to a number of local dustups over immigration.

Recently, Middle Tennessee has witnessed two prime time bouts over immigration. The first was Metro Councilman Eric Crafton’s January 2009 push for a law dictating that all government business be conducted in English. The so-called English-only initiative was met with near-unanimous opposition from the city’s political and business circles, and it was later discovered that the majority of the referendum’s funding came from the Virginia anti-immigration group ProEnglish. Voters shot the measure down.

But public opinion over the second major immigration debate, the Davidson County Sheriff Department’s ongoing 287(g) program, has been less than unanimous. With its third anniversary this month, the program — which subjects arrested individuals to an immigration check — sparked concerns among opponents that it would increase racial profiling and worsen distrust between law enforcement and members of the immigrant community.

However, since the program’s implementation, the department said statistics don’t support those concerns.

“By and large the number of foreign-born individuals arrested since we started 287(g) has decreased, so there’s nothing in our statistics that would support that there is racial profiling going on within the police department,” said spokeswoman Karla Weikal. She added that since its inception, the program has processed more than 7,000 individuals for removal proceedings. In that time, the number of foreign-born arrested has actually dropped from 10 percent in June 2007 to 7.6 percent in February 2010.

Activists maintain the program cultivates distrust and is a symptom of the broken immigration system.

“There is fear in the immigrant community of law enforcement because of programs like 287(g) that criminalize them for driving or fishing without a license,” argued Elias Feghali, TIRRC’s communications coordinator. “When you have someone in a position of being split up from their family and losing their livelihood over something so basic, it makes them likely to turn away from law enforcement in times of need.”

Now, a new crop of state legislation also threatens to influence future discourse.

One proposal, sponsored by Franklin Republican Sen. Jack Johnson, would give private businesses the legal legroom to require only English be spoken in the workplace; another, pushed by Cleveland Republican Rep. Eric Watson, seeks to restrict the state’s driving test to English. A third bill, proposed by Republicans Sen. Mike Faulk of Kingsport and Rep. Eric Swafford of Pikeville, would require public schools to “collect data on students who cannot prove lawful residence” and issue an annual report on “the adverse impact” of such students in the school.

According to immigration activists, both the previous and current proposals only threaten to widen the divide between natives and new arrivals.

“This legislation really sends the message that our state is uncomfortable with people from other countries and new Americans, and that our elected officials are focusing their energy on ways to divide us as a community and create barriers for integration,” Feghali explained. “They want to use state resources and state time on initiatives that would further separate immigrants from the larger population.”

Animosity and bad facts

On the afternoon of the D.C. rally, the onstage program unfolded in a somewhat random fashion, less like an organized event than a free-style tent revival. With a mix of evangelical fervor and political talking points, more than 50 speakers jumped on stage to address the crowd, most representing immigrant advocacy centers, local unions or religious groups. Some speakers addressed the crowd in English, others in Spanish, many starting sentences in one language before jumping to the other.

The congregated mass on the lawn was its own performance, a carnival of high spirits and bizarre juxtapositions. With no apparent provocation, sections of the crowd burst into chants, often two or more sayings vying for volume at once. The flags of different nations and signs were hoisted into the air beside ornate icons of the Virgin Mary. A mariachi band played on a patch of grass only 50 yards away from a group of traditional Korean string players. A band of mimes walked the lawn handing out balloons.

The attitude throughout was ebullient, a positive counterpoint to the anger evident up the hill. For most of the day, health care reform opponents kept their distance from the marchers, with a few notable exceptions.

One health care protester, a small, bookish woman likely in her 40s, stood at the corner of the Mall near Capitol Hill, a sign reading “Sm Government = More Freedom” clutched in her hands. As the Tennessee marchers walked past, the woman began to shout.

“Hospitals are closing — that’s thanks to you,” she spat. “Cities are bankrupt thanks to you. California is bankrupt thanks to you. You don’t even pay taxes. Who paid for your trip here?”

Many of the marchers laughed off the verbal strafing and continued down to the Mall. But for some, the outburst was indicative of the ill will immigrants encounter from locals — animosity grounded in bad facts.

“What people do need is the right information,” said Juan, a Mexico native living in Nashville, one of the many undocumented Tennesseans who made the trek. Short and linebacker-wide, the college graduate has resided illegally in the United States since he walked over the border crossing in Ciudad Juarez in 2001 to look for work. Today, he works both full- and part-time jobs in addition to running his own sales and marketing business.

Juan (who asked The City Paper not to reveal his real name) points out that when it comes to taxes, the federal government does not distinguish between legal and undocumented residents; the IRS simply issues Individual Taxpayer Identification numbers to residents without Social Security numbers and still collects out of their listed earnings.

“Many of us just try to do the best we can,” he said in choppy English. “Do our taxes, try to go straight, don’t get in trouble, and pay our bills.”

Despite the legislative and cultural reactions to the growing diversity of the region, Fotopulos said Middle Tennessee is actually a step or two ahead of other regions struggling with such an identity crisis; Nashville witnesses its fair share of knee-jerk xenophobia, but it also has developed a recent record of defending against it.

“We’re not unique in seeing it, but we’re fairly unique in being able to mount a considerable defense and do the organizing and public education to hold them back and beat them,” he said.

English-only ordinances pass in other states; local mosques are desecrated across the country without subsequent community outrage; 287(g) programs are passed in other districts without public scrutiny and debate. But Nashville has met such issues head on, in the process cultivating a growing sense of tolerance that’s partly responsible for the decision among many of the D.C. marchers to take such a public stand on the issue most closely affecting their lives. Local organizers hope to turn immigration reform from a minority issue into one all Tennesseans see as crucial.

“It’s important for people to know that this is not just an issue in Illinois or New York or California,” Fotopulos said. “This is our immigration system, and it’s failing all Americans, whether you’re an immigrant or not.”

23 Comments on this post:

By:slzy on 4/4/10 at 10:08

speaking of illegal aliens,does anyone know what happened to the belmont groper,and,has kroger explained why he was working there?

By:bsaut on 4/4/10 at 10:51

I am not against LEGAL immigrants, or those here on a visa, or a "green card". What I am against are those who enter the country illegally, and than expect to be catered to because of a language barrier. If I travel in non-english speaking countries, I do not expect road signs in English, or driver tests to be in English. As far as those illegal immigrants who use an ITIN to file and pay income taxes, all the more power to them, at least they are on the right track. On the other hand, those who "steal" someone else's Social Security number and illegally claim the earned income credit, or, obtain medical services,that is another story. Those folks not only are stealing from the taxpayer, they are causing all kinds of IRS problems for the U.S. citizen whose SSN they stole.

By:govskeptic on 4/5/10 at 5:39

Tyson chicken probably paid for the Shelbyville Buses as
most on them were their employees. What American's are
aggravated about in this debate is the back door way of
supplying so many concessions and benefits to these
"illiegals" with taxpayer dollars. In spite of assuarances
to the contrary, government leaders of all persuasion are
greetings these new arrivals with glee as it makes their
numbers ever larger. This craziness has gone on for
far too many yrs. and there is no end in sight.

By:Redactor on 4/5/10 at 6:29

Anyone, illegal or not, driving our roadways without a license is a menace to lives. This is a serious matter that should not be so flippantly disregarded in order to cover for illegal immigrants. I'm tired of all the excuses people are making for others to be in our country illegally. There are plenty of legal ways to be here. Employers should pay the price, especially in this time when so many US citizens are out of a job! Let's hear it for "elected officials [who] are focusing their energy on” illegals. Thank you for doing your job! Shame on those who are not.

By:sidneyames on 4/5/10 at 6:45

Role out the carpet, make it red and plush, roll out the carpet for illegal immigrants. Tell them Obama is their king and hero. Roll out the carpets, legal immigration has got to go!

Sung to "roll out the barrel". I think that the White House has an agenda. It's "get votes coming in the back door".

If the word illegal is in any sentence, I'm not for it. I want legal immigration and NO fast track. They just want to suck up all our tax dollars for the sake of votes. SAY NO!

By:ali999 on 4/5/10 at 6:49

22 countries, including Mexico, have SPANISH as their official language, so why shouldn't ENGLISH be the OFFICIAL language of the U.S. For that matter, a number of countries such as India already have English as an official language so again, why not the U.S.?

Furthermore, I live in Northern Virginia and I promise you, the marches got very little attention from the mass media here and certainly nothing like the 2006 marches did. Nor was the attendance anywhere near as great.

Fact is, the only thing wrong with our immigration laws is the failure to enforce them.
We admit one million LEGAL immigrants each year and 15-20% of them come from just ONE country, MEXICO, because of our emphasis on "family reunification". You might also note that many of these legal immigrants, although admitted as family members, become part of our workforce, especially the low-skilled poorly educated workforce.

I might add that I've lived in the Middle East, in Muslim countries where the establishment of a church is forbidden and where I could only practice my Christian religion within the confines of the U.S. Embassy. So, I can't get too outraged at the purported "desecration" of mosques. As for 287(g), well, Mexico for one requires its local police to enforce immigration law quite successfully, so why shouldn't we?

By:idgaf on 4/5/10 at 7:08

What part of illegal do they not understand?

How many illegals live with them in their house and they support?

By:Kosh III on 4/5/10 at 7:11

As usual the focus is on the wrong thing.
Stop it at the source: outlaw employers who pay illegals under the table to avoid taxes, they turn a blind eye to bogus ID and SS#s, they welcome illegal aliens because it helps them make more money.

Crackdown on the outlaw employers first.

By:Dragon on 4/5/10 at 8:00

In May, 2009, Obama stopped funding for building the fence along the border.
In March, 2010, Obama stopped funding for the "virtual" fence and diverted the funds for other purposes.

Next up --- immigration "reform", where the million already here will be legalized, millions more will come to be united with their extended families, and still millions more will come illegally to wait for the next "reform".

By:sidneyames on 4/5/10 at 8:13

Yeah Dragon. Everyone loved Obama and voted in his change. No one stopped to ask what his change was. The change is that hard working, law abiding, honest, decent citizens get the shaft and the illegals get the royal treatment along with our money!

I'm for legal iimmigration. NOT illegal immigration.

By:Kosh III on 4/5/10 at 9:41

Dragon
The "virtual" fence was not working like Boeing said it would.

The longterm answer is to stop sending our investments to an enemy(Red China) and invest in Mexico and Latin America. If they have a job at home, they won't come here.

By:waycool1 on 4/5/10 at 9:59

The citizenry of this country are becoming "VICTIMS" of our own country that "WE" worked so hard for.

By:BEOWULF on 4/5/10 at 10:34

BEOWULF: “What people do need is the right information,” said JUAN.
Hey, you illegal so 'n so! You finally got it right. The "right information" is ANYONE here illegally is in VIOLATION of USA LAW.
Get the hell back where you belong. Just because The Bilderburg Committee selected an ultra Progressive spinless p** to ruin this country doesn't mean most AMERICANS are spinless.
If all the illegals push for ...ANYTHING, what "rights" do they think they have? What "rights" they have are the deportation papers our gutless govt. should have been issuing for the past 30 or more years!
Prediction: If Barak Hussein pushes for legalizing even some illegals, the US citizens will respond with what is tantamount to 1861.
Our laws were made by English speaking AMERICANS for English speaking AMERICANS.-- GET THE PICTURE, JUAN?

By:fstop101 on 4/5/10 at 11:41

John-d-Revelator
Man!
Outstanding unbiased reporting!
I would never be able to guess what side of the issue Kyle Swenson aligns with!!!

By:JUDYBOODO on 4/5/10 at 1:00

If Chris Ferrell and his mates at southcomm ever wonder what happened after their future bankruptcy is filed reporting slants like this is not only the reason but also the reason he's not a councilman any longer. Like it or not, politicians and news media types alike have to heed the sentiments of their constituents, be it voter or reader. Even though we like to say that the press is not biased, we all know that they are. No matter if they are up front like Fox & CNN or undercover like the Tennessean and The City Paper the people and readers all know what's behind the storyline. Its sad that modern day media types will perish because of their hardheadeness to put forth anything but the unbiased story. If people felt they could read a story and get good information,untainted by editors, publishers and reporters that related to their real world experiences then readers would flock to the publication. But if a newspaper owner and management team feel obliged to inject their own biases into "their" paper the "they" must reap the consequences. Very sad.

By:tgm6004 on 4/5/10 at 1:03

illegals are invaders from another country
the poor things just trying to have a better life

well stay home and make your own country better
shed your blook like americans have in the past
deserve what you get

you progressive americans need to get a life and grow up

By:relliott on 4/5/10 at 2:13

I'm tired of paying taxes so the illegals can have benefits. I've voted Democrat all my life but now it's time to rethink things.

By:Heloise on 4/5/10 at 4:01

Reading this article and others from the City Paper and the Scene is like being whisked back into the '60's and into the glorified halls of the New Left utopian dream.

It's like reading articles from some Animal Farm media arm where all animals are equal (citizens of the USA) but some (illegal aliens) are more equal than others.

After living as a radical and in a commune for years, I found out that marxist socialism didn't work, that it was against human nature, that it led to nihilism and totalitarianism, so I left the 'Left.'

The young people writing now don't understand why they take the political position they do (socialism good, capitalism bad; minorities good, majorities bad; materialistic politics good, spiritualistic religion bad) don't know they're being manipulated, don't have a clue why they hate the great middle class who they look down on from an elitist position and mock. You all are stuck the 60's and think you represent progress.

By:Mysteryshopr on 4/7/10 at 3:19

This article is an outrage!!! They had the nerve to march on Washington. There should have been military troops there to direct them to get back on the buses and driven them straight to the nearest border. THEY ARE ILLEGAL!! ILLEGAL means against the law. So these illegal immigrants are CRIMINALS. I agree there needs to be immigration reform and here is how. There needs to be a bill that prosecutes anyone that willingly aids these criminals. If I help a bank robber I become an assessory to the crime. Why are these people hiring them and housing them not accountable in the same way.

They are literally invading our country and we are doing NOTHING!! Why don't we march about that.

And Obama better not let all those illegals stay either. Bush started smoozing with them to get the vote and it has created a big mess. STOP the MADNESS. Whoever votes to stop the invasion gets my vote. Before we are bankrupt like California.

By:Restore Fairness on 4/8/10 at 3:49

It's urgent to understand that fixing the broken immigration system is important both for the economy and for the security of this country. We need workable solutions that unite us together - and reform that respects due process and fairness allows us to celebrate the values that we hold dear - fairness, opportunity and due process. When we deny due process to some people, ultimately it will affect all of us. To take action go to www.restorefairness.org.

By:localboy on 4/12/10 at 11:36

Great opinion piece, except it was printed as a news article. Someone should submit it to Fox News, the self-proclaimed home of "fair and balanced" reporting...
Kosh III makes a good point, go after the employers.

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